Connie and Carlais a 2004 Americancomedy filmdirected byMichael Lembeckand starringNia Vardalos,Toni Collette,andDavid Duchovny.The screenplay was written by Vardalos.
| Connie and Carla | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Lembeck |
| Written by | Nia Vardalos |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Richard Greatrex |
| Edited by | David Finfer |
| Music by | Randy Edelman |
Production company | |
| Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $27 million[2] |
| Box office | $11.3 million[2] |
The film was shot inVancouverand featured a number of localdrag queens,including Joan-E, Justine Tyme, Carlotta Gurl, Summer Clearance, Devana Demille, Seemore Illusion and Helena Handbag.
Plot
editConnie and Carla are two performers whose lifelong friendship and co-obsession withmusical theaterhave brought nothing but career dead ends. Despite this, they continue their optimism, hosting a variety act at anairport lounge.After accidentally witnessing a mafia hit inChicago,they go on the run, landing inLos Angeles.After being fired from a beauty salon, they pose asdrag queensand audition to host a drag revue at agay clubcalled "The Handlebar."
Because they sing their own songs (a rarity for queens), they are hired, and their variety show (at first titledWhat a Drag (Pun Intended!)and later re-titledConnie and Carla and the Belles of the Ballsafter they add a few friends to the act) becomes a hit.
Things are going smoothly but they make a pact not to let men interfere with their life. This causes conflict when Connie falls for Jeff, the straight brother of Robert, one of their drag queen friends. As the show gets bigger, they convince the club owner, Stanley, to convert it into a full dinner theater, and eventually their popularity threatens to expose them.
On the official opening night of the dinner theater, the mob killers catch up with them. With the help of their drag queen friends, and to great applause from the audience (who think it is part of their act), Connie and Carla take them down.
They ultimately confess their real identities to the audience and are accepted for who they are. Connie reveals herself to Jeff, who arrives after the chaos. He accepts her and becomes her boyfriend.
Cast
edit- Nia Vardalosas Connie
- Toni Colletteas Carla
- David Duchovnyas Jeff
- Stephen Spinellaas Robert / Peaches
- Dash Mihokas Mikey, Carla's boyfriend
- Robert John Burkeas Rudy, the sadistic crime boss
- Nick Sandowas Al, Connie's on-again-off-again-right-now-off boyfriend
- Boris McGiveras Tibor, Rudy's gullible henchman
- Alec Mapaas Lee / N'Cream
- Christopher Logan as Brian / Patty Melt
- Robert Kaiser as Paul
- Ian Gomezas Stanley, the club owner
- Chelah Horsdalas the Botoxed Friend
- Debbie Reynoldsas herself
- Greg Grunbergas Studio tour guide
- Veena Soodas Mrs. Morse
Musicals referenced or featured
editThe following is a list ofmusicalsreferenced or featured in the film (in the order of which they are presented in the film):Barbra StreisandandDebbie Reynoldswere mentioned several times before Reynolds herself appeared and performed with Connie and Carla.
- Oklahoma!– Connie and Carla perform "Oklahoma!"as young girls in their school lunchroom and in the airport lounge and"I Cain't Say No"during their audition at" The Handlebar, "the gay club where they eventually become successful.
- Jesus Christ Superstar– Connie and Carla perform "Superstar"in the airport lounge and" Everything's Alright "during their first performance at The Handlebar.
- Yentl– Connie and Carla perform "Papa, Can You Hear Me?"in the airport lounge.
- Cats– Connie and Carla perform "Memory"in the airport lounge.
- The Rocky Horror Show– Peaches 'n' Creme perform "The Time Warp"at The Handlebar.
- Cabaret– Connie and Carla perform "Maybe This Time" at their audition at The Handlebar.
- Evita– Connie and Carla perform "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"at their audition at The Handlebar.
- Mame– Interludes during the picture with the character Tibor seeing several performances ofMameat different venues across the country.
- South Pacific– "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair",is part of Connie and Carla's performance inWhat a Drag (Pun Intended!)at The Handlebar. They also sing "There Is Nothing Like a Dame"at the end of the film with the rest of the main cast.
- Funny Girl– Connie and Carla sing "Don't Rain on My Parade",part of their performance inWhat a Drag (Pun Intended!)at The Handlebar.
- Thoroughly Modern Millie,The Producers,Say Goodnight, Gracie,Never Gonna Dance,Gypsy,Chicago,Mamma Mia!,Long Days Journey into Night,"Master Harold"...and the Boys,Avenue Q,Man of La Mancha,andHairspray– Billboards for these shows are shown.
- Gypsy,Rent,andHairspray– At this point in the film, these are mentioned by Tibor,Hairspray,of which, he got a matinée ticket, though no songs from the shows are sung. The theater productions ofRent,Hairspray,andMamma Mia!became semi-successful movie musicals shortly after this film.
- Gypsy– "Let Me Entertain You"is performed by Connie, Carla, and the Belles of the Balls.
- Hair– Connie says the guys should enter from the back of the house on "Good Morning Starshine".
- The Music Man– Debbie Reynolds says they should enter from the back of the house on "Seventy-Six Trombones".
- Grease– Debbie Reynolds, Connie, Carla, and the Belles of the Balls sing "There Are Worse Things I Could Do".
- A Chorus Line– Connie and Carla sing "What I Did for Love".
- Guys and Dolls– Connie mentions "theGuys and Dollstribute. "
Reception
editBox office
editThe film had a budget of $27 million,[2]and grossed $8,085,771 domestically,[2]and $3,255,245 in foreign release,[2]making $11,341,016 worldwide. The film grossed $3,254,940 during its opening weekend, opening at number 13 in the 4/16-18 weekend box office.[2]The film has been released on DVD and incorrectly has the runtime at 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Critical response
editRotten Tomatoesgives the film a 44% critic score based on reviews from 122 critics. The site's consensus states: "The two female leads, as well as energitic musical numbers, enliven an otherwise silly reworking ofBilly Wilder'sSome Like It Hot."[3]
See also
edit- List of American films of 2004
- Drag queen
- Faux queen– Women who dress asdrag queens
References
edit- ^"CONNIE AND CARLA(12A) ".British Board of Film Classification.March 18, 2004.RetrievedMay 6,2015.
- ^abcdefConnie and Carla,Box Office Mojowebsite
- ^"Connie and Carla".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedJuly 21,2018.
